Moscow hopeful that crisis in Spain will be solved through dialogue

The Russian Foreign Ministry views the events in Catalonia as Spain’s domestic affair

Russia views the events in Catalonia as Spain’s domestic affairs and expects that the situation will be solved in the framework of the Spanish law with ensuring the guarantees of rights and freedoms of all citizens, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

“The Russian Foreign Ministry, which is guided by the fundamental principles of the international law, views the events in Catalonia as Spain’s domestic affair. We hope that the situation will be solved through dialogue strictly in line with Spain’s law and in the interests of a united and prosperous Spain with ensuring the guarantees of rights and freedoms of all citizens of the country,” the ministry said.

Spain’s government is holding crisis talks after the Catalan leader signed a suspended declaration of independence and called for dialogue with Madrid.

Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont said that, while the referendum earlier this month had given his government a mandate to create a sovereign republic, he would not immediately push ahead with independence from Spain.

Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy has vowed to use everything in his power to prevent independence and has refused to rule out imposing direct rule over the semi-autonomous region – an unprecedented move many fear could lead to civil unrest.